Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-02-28
Affairs fn Ireland.

The session Of the British cabinet Satnr-
day is knows to have been exclusively oc.
cupied IN the consideration OF the threaten
ing stats OF affairs in Ireland. The cir is
heavy with disquietirg rnmora of the renew.
ed activity of secret societies, whose aims
are hostile to tbs existing government,
Dynamite conapracles involving destruc.
tion Of Eogish life and property are again
under way, according TO approved report,
and detectives are busy IN both Ireland and
England uuearthing these dangerous plots.
There is an uneasy feeling among the pub
lie, and meanwhile the authorities maintain
strict relicence or vouchsafe only meaning
less. assurances. 1t was, therefore, decided
at the nesting Of the ministers that the de.
cjsiou OF The late conservative conference
pcstpouing the coercion bill until after the
passage of Che procedure rules must ba re-
versed. Lord Salisbury was obliged 10 ad
nit that the condition Of Ireland is the most
urgent OF al The questions demanding con-
sideraiion by !ae government. A rearrauge-
ment Of the plans 10: tho session was ac-
cordiugIy made. The new programme puts
the estimates first, CT course, then the clio,
bill, with its c0ercive features.
The question Of prosecuting Archbishop
Croke and those concerned IN the dissent
nation of his anti-taX manifesto has been de-
cided in the negative.
Home Secretary Matthews wants to make
the crimes act apply 70 England as we'll az
Ireland but Messrs. Bright and Chamber
lain and ether unionist liberals have warned
the government that the unionist group will
probably oppose making 40 extension Of
criminal law IN England simply because it
is necessary 10 strengthen the governments
power in Ireland The bill as agreed uDon
by the cabinet is therefore 8 purely Irish
measure Of coercion 1t Will empower the
government to proclaim the league, thus
making every future act Of that organiza-
tion an unlawful opc Ii will further give
the government the righ; TO trs ali members
of secret societies Gnd ether conspiratoIs
summariiy by resident magistrates. Jury
trials will oe reserved fer the grayest of
ieuses.
The prospect of immediate renewal Of
coercive methods has raised tho expecta-
tions of The Gledstonians in the direction
Of liberal reunion. 1t is true that a mum
Der Of the unionist liberals dislike any form
of coercion. They regard it as antagonistic
10 the leaQlnS pflnc!pIe Oh Wh!ch tnelr
unionsm is based, nameiy, that Ireland
should be governed hy the same laws as
other parts Of The United Kingdom. But
the government is well aware of this and IS
TOO cautious TO propose q measure for which
they are not sure cf support from Messrs.
Harrington aud Chamberlain, and their fol-
lowers.
The GladstonaDs still declare that the
"round table, conferences between their
leaders and those Of the upioDist faction
are tendirg toward complete agreement
and reunion of forces. The Pail Mall
Gazette announces, "on authority" that the
views of Parnell, Chamberlain, Trevelyan,
aud Gladstone are harmonious or, at least,
that there is &c longer any difference which
can be considered serious. On the other
hand Mr. Chamberlain's latest utterance
show that he is still hostile to Mr.. Glad
stones home rule proposals.
A riot occurred at New Ross Ireland yes
terday in which body of 100 policemen
charged with batons and bayonets q mob
numbering 500 The crowd used stones for
missiles, and many on both sides were in
jured.